US President Donald Trump has claimed the current pope would not hold office without him, intensifying a public clash over war, power and global influence.
Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, where he accused Pope Leo XIV of being weak on conflict and suggested the pontiff’s rise was tied to American influence.
“He wouldn’t be there without me,” Trump wrote, adding that the pope was chosen “because he was American,” in a post that quickly drew international attention.
The comments followed criticism from Pope Leo XIV over ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly around Iran. Speaking in recent days, the pope warned against what he described as growing “neocolonial” behavior by powerful nations and cautioned that military escalation risked deepening global instability.
In one of his clearest remarks, the pontiff said:
“Powerful nations must stop imposing their will on others under the pretext of security.”
He also warned that modern conflicts risk repeating patterns of domination rather than resolving disputes, a message widely interpreted as a critique of Western foreign policy and military posture.
Trump responded aggressively, portraying the pope’s stance as dangerous and politically motivated. In his posts, he accused the Catholic leader of undermining strong leadership on war and aligning with what he called “radical” global views.
The exchange marks a rare and unusually direct confrontation between a US president and a sitting pope, especially over active geopolitical tensions.
The dispute appears rooted in sharply different views on how conflicts like the Iran situation should be handled. While Pope Leo XIV has pushed for restraint, dialogue and a rejection of power-driven intervention, Trump has consistently defended a harder line, arguing that strength deters escalation.
The clash has triggered reactions across political and religious circles, with some conservative voices backing Trump’s criticism, while others, including church figures have defended the pope’s calls for diplomacy and moral restraint.
The Vatican has not formally responded to Trump’s personal remarks, but officials close to the papacy have reiterated the pope’s position that war should be avoided wherever possible and that global powers carry responsibility for preventing escalation.
Trump’s post also included a controversial image depicting himself in a Christ-like role helping the poor and sick, a move that drew criticism online and added another layer to the already heated exchange.
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